Methods for isolating a target analyte from a heterogeneous sample

Abstract

The invention generally relates to methods of using compositions that include sets of magnetic particles, members of each set being conjugated to an antibody specific for a pathogen, and magnets to isolate a pathogen from a body fluid sample.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for isolating pathogen from a heterogeneous sample, the method comprising:
 providing a vessel that contains a heterogeneous sample comprising pathogen, the vessel being coupled to a fluidic device that comprises a channel and a magnet; 
 introducing to the sample in the vessel a cocktail comprising a plurality of magnetic particles, conjugated to antibodies that bind said pathogen, thereby forming a mixture comprising antibody-bound pathogen particles; 
 flowing the mixture from the vessel through a channel in the fluidic device such that said magnetic particles attach to said magnet; and 
 separating antibody-bound pathogen attached to said magnet from other components in the sample. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of characterizing the pathogen. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , wherein said characterizing step comprises identifying the pathogen. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3 , wherein said identifying step is selected from sequencing nucleic acid derived from the pathogen and amplifying the nucleic acid. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sample is a blood sample. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the particles are differentially labeled. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6 , wherein the particles comprise is an optical label. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the optical label is a fluorescent label. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the antibodies are monoclonal antibodies. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the antibodies are polyclonal antibodies. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pathogen is gram positive bacteria. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pathogen is gram negative bacteria. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pathogen is a virus.